Alana Nichols
Alana Nichols grew up in Farmington, New Mexico, with an active lifestyle with multiple sports. With a particular passion for skiing and snowboarding, Nichols found joy and excitement in outdoor adventures from a young age. Her athletic potential was clear as she showed strength in various sports throughout her childhood.
The Accident:
In 2000, 17-year-old Nichols experienced a traumatic accident that changed her life forever. While attempting a backflip on her snowboard during a ski trip to Colorado, Nichols over-rotated and landed back-first on a rock. The impact resulted in a devastating spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. This sudden and dramatic change caused a break in her athletic career, casting a shadow over her vibrant and active life.
Wheelchair Basketball:
Nichols' journey to rejuvenate her athletic career began during her freshman year at the University of New Mexico. A chance to play in a wheelchair basketball game started a new sense of opportunity and helped her regain her competitive spirit. She decided to pursue wheelchair basketball with determination.
Paralympic Success:
Alana Nichols’ dedication and persistence led her to a huge success in Paralympic sports. She debuted at the Paralympic 2008 Beijing Games, winning a gold medal in women’s wheelchair basketball. This victory was only the beginning of her Olympic career. Over the next four Paralympic Games, Nichols showcased her strengths by competing in wheelchair basketball, alpine skiing, and paracanoe. Her victories include three gold, two silver, and one bronze, making her the first female American Paralympian to win gold medals in both Summer and Winter Games.
Injuries and Recovery:
Nichols' journey was not without its challenges. In June 2013, she suffered another severe injury while practicing on Mount Hood. A fall resulted in broken ankles and a dislocated shoulder, reminding her of the initial spinal cord injury. Despite the pain, Nichols demonstrated remarkable resilience, recovering quickly to return to competition in time for the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Games. However, another accident in Sochi, where she landed face-first during the super-G sitting event, marked a turning point. Realizing the emotional toll her injuries took on her family, Nichols decided it was time to move on from skiing.
Discovering Surfing:
After Sochi, Nichols discovered a new passion for surfing. The sport provided a therapeutic escape and a new challenge. Surfing's forgiving nature contrasted with the harsh impacts of snow sports, offering a healing environment. Nichols quickly excelled, winning her first adaptive surfing contest shortly after taking up the sport and competing in the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Adaptive Surfing Championship.
Career Highlights:
Five-time Paralympian
Three-time Paralympic gold medalist
Two-time Paralympic silver medalist
Paralympic bronze medalist
First female American to win gold in both the Summer and Winter Games
Women Sports Foundation Athlete Advisory Panel and Past President
Conclusion:
Alana Nichols continues to be a powerful advocate for adaptive sports. She aims to promote adaptive surfing and hopes to see it included in future Paralympic Games. Her efforts go beyond personal achievements, as she strives to inspire and support others facing similar challenges.
Sources:
“Alana Nichols, Past President.” Women’s Sports Foundation, 28 Jan. 2021, www.womenssportsfoundation.org/athlete/alana-nichols/. Accessed 19 June 2024.
“Alana Nichols.” Team USA | Alana Nichols, www.teamusa.com/profiles/alana-nichols-854762. Accessed 19 June 2024.
“Alana Nichols: Challenged Athletes Foundation.” Challenged Athletes Foundation | Changing Lives through Sports, 28 Jan. 2021, www.challengedathletes.org/athletes/alana-nichols/. Accessed 19 June 2024.
Yap, Audrey Cleo. “How a Terrifying Crash Turned Alana Nichols into a Really Good Surfer.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, www.espn.com/espnw/athletes-life/story/_/id/13726370/how-terrifying-crash-turned-alana-nichols-really-good-surfer. Accessed 19 June 2024.